By Sara Beth Williams–
One of Citrus Heights’ local Metro Fire stations is one step closer toward a major rebuild following the approval of the design plans by the Citrus Heights Planning Commission.
The proposed remodel for Station 23 consists of the demolition of the existing building and construction of a new 19,500-square-foot, two-story fire station at 6421 Greenback Ln. The site has operated as a public fire station since 1965, the city said.
Metro Fire will still need to have building permits approved before construction can begin. Construction isn’t expected to take place until the summer of 2027, Metro Fire’s project manager said Tuesday.
The Citrus Heights Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the design review permit along with a requested variance reducing the setback to 4 and a half feet between the property line.
Prior to the vote, the commissioners and city staff engaged in significant discussion over privacy and construction proximity concerns raised by a resident who lives next to the fire station.
Due to what Metro Fire explained as site constraints in documents filed with the city, the fire district requested approval for an easement variance from 30 to 4.5 feet from the neighboring property line.
Currently, Citrus Heights Zoning Code requires a 30-foot side-yard setback for a two-story structure in the RD-20 zoning district.
The current property has a “narrow configuration,” Metro Fire said, measuring at 150 feet in width and 343 feet in depth, which makes the maneuverability of large emergency vehicles difficult, along with accommodating fifteen staff per shift, who bring in their own vehicles to park while on shift.
Citrus Heights resident Samantha Cole, who spoke during the Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night, said she lives next to the fire station and requested protections for the redwoods standing between the two properties, as the trees act as a privacy screen.
City staff explained that they have a tree ordinance within city code that requires precautions to be taken when construction projects encounter trees in close proximity, and that another arborist review will take place prior to construction. The city said they believe the risk of harming the redwoods was “low.”
Cole also asked for obscured glass on second story windows facing her residence, or some other design feature that prevents unintentional invasion of privacy.
City staff explained that they had evaluated the position of the second story windows in question, and said they were certain the windows will directly face the redwood trees.
Additionally, Cole expressed concerns about the close proximity of construction near her and her neighbors, and asked for a pre- construction survey, vibration monitoring during construction, notification of construction time and hours, limits for construction to weekday daytime hours and no weekends, dust and debris controls, and contact information for the construction company before work begins,
The city acknowledged this, and said city building instructors do site reviews prior to and during construction, and if there are any concerns during, city staff can be contacted. Both Metro Fire and city staff said there will be a central point of contact during construction, and that residents in close proximity will be notified of construction schedules in advance.
The remodeled facility plans include five bays, administrative and command functions, firefighter living quarters for up to fifteen personnel, support spaces, and associated site improvements, the project description reads.
Other on site improvements include additional employee parking, a covered fuel island for emergency vehicle fueling, an emergency generator, trash enclosure, bicycle parking, utility infrastructure, landscaping, and public accessibility improvements, the city said.
Metro Fire’s project manager said Tuesday the project proposes to add a regular gasoline pump to the site during the remodel in addition to the current diesel fuel pump already on site.
Additional landscaping planned for the site includes replacement of any on site trees removed during demolition and the addition of more native shade trees and shrubs.
The replacement station will improve emergency response capabilities, firefighter safety, operational efficiency, and long-term service delivery to Citrus Heights residents and businesses, Metro Fire emphasized.
The new remodel will also incorporate health and wellness areas for firefighters, including enhanced decontamination areas, modern living accommodations, fitness facilities, and separation of living quarters from fire engines.
Funds for the remodel come from Measure O, a $415 million bond measure passed by voters and allocates funds to modernize fire station facilities that are over 50 years old.
According to Metro Fire, 18 stations are currently being targeted for modernization, and design phases are being or have been completed for several, including Station 23 in Citrus Heights.
Measure O passed with over two-thirds majority vote in November 2024.
